Global Toy News Insight
For the toy industry, Ynon Kreiz’s move from Mattel to the anticipated combined Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery company is bigger than an executive shuffle—it underscores how closely toys, entertainment and franchise management have become intertwined. Kreiz spent his Mattel tenure pushing brands such as Barbie, Hot Wheels, UNO and Masters of the Universe beyond the toy aisle and into entertainment, experiences, gaming and other consumer touchpoints. His appointment suggests that the same brand-building philosophy could play an important role inside a company controlling an enormous collection of entertainment properties and platforms.
That could have significant implications for toy manufacturers, licensors and retailers. The proposed combination brings together properties and businesses spanning Warner Bros., DC, HBO, Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Paramount, CBS and Skydance, creating a substantial pipeline of characters and franchises capable of moving between screens, consumer products and retail. For toy companies, the bigger story to watch is whether Kreiz’s Mattel playbook—treating intellectual property as an ecosystem rather than simply a product license—helps shape how this massive portfolio approaches licensing, franchise development and consumer products.
CHAIRMAN AND CEO DAVID ELLISON ANNOUNCES YNON KREIZ CO-CEO OF THE ANTICIPATED COMBINED PARAMOUNT AND WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY AT CLOSING TO HELP BUILD THE NEXT-GENERATION GLOBAL MEDIA COMPANY
Appointment comes as Paramount nears completion of Warner Bros. Discovery merger Ellison sought a partner with the operating firepower to help usher in a new era of entertainment — duo prepared to unlock value for the creative community, shareholders and audiences alike As Chairman & CEO, Ellison will lead all strategy, creative and technology while Kreiz, as Co-CEO will oversee the Company’s day-to-day operations and integration of the combined businesses — a pairing that joins complementary skillsets to amplify results Kreiz joins Ellison from Mattel and brings more than 30 years of experience leading and investing in international media and entertainment businesses, with a track record of pioneering new business models at the intersection of media, entertainment and technology
LOS ANGELES, Sept. 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Paramount Skydance Corporation (NASDAQ: PSKY) (the “Company”) today disclosed that David Ellison has announced Ynon Kreiz as Co-CEO of the anticipated merged company, effective at closing. Kreiz, who will start at Paramount, effective October 5, 2026, joins Ellison from Mattel, a leading global play and family entertainment company where he has served as Chairman and CEO since 2018, leading an unprecedented transformation of the business and the execution of its multi-platform, brand-centric strategy. Upon closing, Ellison will remain Chairman and CEO of the newly combined company, and Kreiz will serve as Co-CEO and join the Board of Directors. Together, they will oversee the combined company’s businesses, which will report jointly to both.
Ellison’s appointment of Kreiz caps a long-term plan: pursue both Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, then partner with a leading executive of his caliber to integrate, operationalize and manage the businesses as they build one of the most ambitious next-generation media companies in the industry’s history.
Together, Ellison and Kreiz will lead the anticipated combined company as one team, pairing complementary skillsets to maximize the full upside of the merger under a comprehensive long-term strategy. Ellison will focus on the company’s long-term strategy, creative vision and direction, including its talent relationships, strategic partnerships, technology and capital allocation. Kreiz will focus on the company’s day-to-day management and integration of the combined businesses.
David Ellison said: “Bringing together Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery to create a next-generation global media company is a transformational moment for our industry. Leading it takes a rare combination of strategic vision, operational depth and experience running a public company at the highest levels of media. Ynon brings all three. In Ynon, I’m adding a partner with strong leadership and the operating firepower this integration demands. It’s a division of labor built on our complementary strengths, with clear reporting lines and it lets me focus where I can contribute most: long-term strategy, the company’s overall creative direction, talent relationships, strategic partnerships, technology and capital allocation. We’re like-minded, we see this business the same way and there’s no one I’d rather partner with. Together we’ll build one integrated company that is creator-first, tech-forward and built to scale globally.”
Ynon Kreiz said: “I’m excited to partner with David to build the next-generation media and entertainment company — bringing together premium content and iconic brands at the highest quality and scale, serving global audiences across every entertainment vertical and distribution platform. David is a unique talent and executive: a rare blend of business acumen, creative instinct, and clear vision. I very much share that vision, and I’m inspired by what we can accomplish together. The industry is at an inflection point, demanding evolution, investment, and a willingness to rethink business models. I look forward to working with the leadership team to build a cohesive global entertainment platform — one that stands out with best-in-class operations and execution powered by technology, with unparalleled creative relationships, production capabilities, and global reach. We will continue empowering creators, make this company a greenfield for innovation and storytelling, and collaborate with key partners to reach and engage fans worldwide.”
Gerry Cardinale, Founder and Managing Partner of RedBird Capital Partners — the Company’s co-controlling shareholder and a member of its Board of Directors — said: “David has done what few modern executives have accomplished. He has led this company through not one but two historic acquisitions, while also running the business and building a team that’s already exceeding our synergy targets, beating our financial metrics, and never wavering on our commitment to the creative community. Ynon has spent his career at the intersection of media, technology and franchise-building — pairing extraordinary storytelling with the technology to deliver it to fans everywhere. He understands not just how fans connect with the IP they love, but the economics that make entertainment endure. Great leaders accomplish great things. Historic ones know when to bring in the right partner to make it last — and that’s what David has done. It’s exactly why the company will have the operational firepower and the cutting-edge leadership to win.”
Today’s appointment of an executive with Kreiz’s stature and track record marks the next step in Ellison’s pursuit to unite Warner Bros. Discovery and Paramount — two of Hollywood’s most storied studios, with more than 200 combined years of storytelling and a streaming platform expected to reach 200 million-plus global subscribers.
In just over a year under Ellison, Paramount has doubled its theatrical slate, deepened its creative bench, greenlit more than 40 new and returning series for Paramount+, and built the capital discipline and technology to scale. That foundation positions the Company to grow 2026 projected revenue and EBITDA (preSBC) by 16-19%, and it laid the groundwork for this historic transaction, which is expected to generate more than $6 billion in run-rate synergies accelerate EBITDA growth.
Once the Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery merger closes, the combined company will be guided by four overarching strategic priorities: win in content, become the most technologically capable media company, maximize operational efficiencies, and earn trust — delivering reliable, responsible experiences that strengthen its relationships with creators, audiences, consumers, employees, advertisers and partners.
About Ynon Kreiz
Mr. Kreiz has extensive experience as a corporate leader in the entertainment industry, with a track record of scaling content and brands globally. During his career spanning more than 30 years, he has successfully managed and invested in international media enterprises that have pioneered new business models at the intersection of media and technology.
Mr. Kreiz has been Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Mattel since 2018. Mattel is a leading global play and family entertainment company with one of the most iconic brand portfolios in the world, including Barbie, Hot Wheels, Fisher-Price, UNO, American Girl, and Thomas & Friends. Following his appointment at Mattel in 2018, Kreiz led a multi-year transformation that strengthened its leadership across key toy categories and expanded its brands into new entertainment verticals, including film, television, consumer products, digital games, live events and experiences, and publishing. Under Mr. Kreiz’s leadership, Mattel’s first theatrical release, “Barbie,” became the #1 global box office film of 2023 and Warner Bros. Pictures’ highest-grossing movie of all time, and the Company grew its global footprint to more than 150 countries.
Before Mattel, Mr. Kreiz was Chairman and CEO of Maker Studios, a global leader in short-form video content and one of YouTube’s largest multichannel networks, which was acquired by The Walt Disney Company. He previously served as Chairman and CEO of Endemol Group, the world’s largest independent television production company at the time, producing more than 10,000 hours of programming a year and owning global franchises such as “Big Brother” and “Deal or No Deal.” Prior to that, he was a General Partner at Balderton Capital (formerly Benchmark Capital Europe), specializing in early-stage media and technology investments.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Kreiz was co-founder, Chairman, and CEO of Fox Kids Europe NV, which developed and owned pay TV channels across Europe and the Middle East. The company was acquired by The Walt Disney Company.
Mr. Kreiz holds a BA degree in Economics and Management from Tel Aviv University and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School of Management. He serves on the Board of Directors of Warner Music Group and the Board of Advisors of the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Mr. Kreiz is a member of Business Roundtable and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. He was named in 2024 one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in the World and Entertainment Person of the Year by Cannes Lions.
Following the completion of its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, the merged company’s portfolio will unite legendary brands including Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros. Pictures, Paramount Television, Warner Bros. Television, CBS, CBS News, CBS Sports, CNN, HBO, HBO Max, TNT, TBS, Discovery, HGTV, Food Network, Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, MTV, BET, Comedy Central, Showtime, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and Skydance Animation, Film, Television, Interactive/Games, and Paramount Sports Entertainment — serving audiences in more than 200 countries and territories.
